A/N: Holiday update (It's still Christmas in our minds, right? No? Eep, tough crowd.)

"I'll get it mother."

Regina quickly exited the kitchen when she heard the bell ring, rushing to the door. Her hand rested on the handle when she heard the soft voice outside. Even though she knew it was the time Emma had texted she would arrive and even though she had learnt many years ago that three successive rings of the doorbell was Henry's signature when he either had to go to the bathroom or was extremely excited, relief flooded through her body as her ears took in the 'Stop fidgeting kid' from the other side. She leaned heavily on the door, her forehead resting on the wood as she took a moment to herself. Straightening up and with a last fluff to her hair, she opened the door. But before she could get a word out, Regina got knocked back a few steps when a tiny brunet ran into her.

"Henry", she gasped, "lightly."

"How are you, mom?" Henry's voice came muffled from how tightly he was hugging her, "You didn't even come say goodbye to me."

Regina's features softened as she realised the aftermath of her disappearance yesterday night, "I'm so sorry sweetheart." She slowly pulled away so she could look him in the eye, "I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. But I'm fine now. Why don't you go find your nana, she has a surprise for you for being such a good boy yesterday."

Henry's face lit up at the mention of a surprise and he hugged her tightly once more before shooting past her upstairs. Once she couldn't see him anymore, Regina turned to look to her other guest but got propelled back. Emma barrelled into her exactly like Henry had done, holding Regina steady by the hip as she retreated a step back with a smug smirk, "How are you, mo-om?"

"I-uh", still shocked, Regina's eyes found themselves unable to tear away from the impish green. She noticed Emma was wearing her usual black coat; a red scarf that she'd seen many times was wound loosely around her neck and over her hair; everything, actually, felt familiar. Yet at the same time, it felt different. Because she hadn't ever seen Emma looking so.. happy.

When Emma tilted her head on a lack of response, Regina realised she should probably say or do something. They had kissed. A lot. She should atleast shake her hands, no that was absurd; hug her; kiss her? It had been such a long time since Daniel that she could not remember how to behave in this... situation. She looked to her hands and she thought she should at least – Regina's eyes slipped shut as she let out a content sigh.

Emma slowly extracted herself from Regina's lips, "Sorry, but you were too loud."

"What?" Regina asked as her eyes fluttered open.

"You think too loud, I figured I could take advantage." Emma grinned, her eyes crinkling by how wide her smile was.

Regina tried very hard to seem angry. Her lips though threatened mutiny, quirking up regardless, "We need to be careful around Henry."

Emma nodded as she took a step forward, pulling Regina to her slightly. "Cool. So I'm going to kiss you again", Emma declared softly as she went straight ahead. In her mind, she had already labelled this as the second most necessary activity for sustenance, after breathing and before eating. Regina eased into it as her hands went up Emma's arms painfully slow till they could meet around her neck. Regina felt Emma's hands locking tightly around her waist and couldn't help smiling. They would have stayed in the same position for hours if not for a sharp sound.

The both broke apart, looking to the right and saw a bright lollipop lying on the ground in two parts. Their eyes travelled up the staircase and caught Henry's wide ones, watching them with his mouth open, holding air in place of what would have been his treat.

'Good grief', Emma thought as she saw Regina staring intently at the salad on her plate. Henry was not far behind in exhibiting his Mills social charm, solely focussing on his milkshake. He sucked on the straw with the glass in his lap not looking up.

Impatient, Emma nudged the heels in front of her with her boots and received a prompt kick back, the owner not moving her eyes. Emma's head moved incredulously between the two people wondering how these two can go from yammering non-stop in this very same booth everyday to this cricket funeral.

"Jesus Christ, do I need to bring out conversation cards?"

Regina's head snapped up and she hissed, "Emma!"

The sound may have been a monosyllabic representation of the blonde's name but for Emma it felt like it's-your-fault-you-saliva-swapping-charming. Emma shrank back but Henry reacted much more strongly, wincing at his mother's small outburst. Unfortunately that was caught by both the women. Regina's face fell and she went back to staring at her salad. Emma at this point wanted to stab herself with the fork in her hand. Both women were spiralling into the black abyss of their own thoughts when a small voice piped up.

"You just called her Emma."

They both looked at the kid, who was looking up from his brown bangs with a playful smile.

"I", Regina smiled, "I suppose I did." She looked from Henry to Emma who was smiling goofily at the observation.

"She used to really hate it when you called her Miss Swan." Henry giggled, amused by the use of her mother's first name.

"Oh really", Regina looked at his neighbour with her eyebrows rising up.

'Oh ammo delivered.' Emma thought as her smile turned into a frown.

"Henry", Emma gritted through her teeth, "that was a private conversation."

"No it wasn't. You specifically told me to not tell mom about the inferno incident."

"The inferno incident?" Regina shouted in reflex, quieting the whole diner. Regina looked up, a little surprised herself but Emma reacted first.

"Nothing to see here folks", Emma glared at the room till they slowly started returning to their own plates. Her eyes locked to Red who had come out at the sound but seeing Emma she just nodded and retreated inside. Getting her attention back to the booth she noticed Regina's stare.

"It – it was nothing Regina", Emma laughed out nervously as her hand went behind her neck. It didn't help that all the while Henry never stopped sniggering.

Regina smiled at the boy knowingly, "Henry, what is the inferno incident?" her voice rolling out so sickly sweet, Emma didn't need Whale to tell her she was in danger of diabetes.

"Ma was trying to make-"

"Henry", Emma shrieked and attempted to shut him up but Henry dodged her hands, jumping out of the booth and around to his mother.

"Mommy", he ran into her mother's side making Regina's eyes widen with surprise.

Regina didn't know how long she remained gasping for words till Emma decided to intervene, "You think your mom is any match for the saviour kid?"

Regina's eyebrows rose as she pulled Henry into her lap protectively, "I'd like to see you try."

Henry stuck out his tongue and Emma mock glared at the both of them, "Why are the Mills always against me?"

Henry laughed out, "Because the Mills are awesome."

Regina could have passed out from happiness at that moment. She knew she had messed up in this life but she must have done something right in her past one to have Henry in her arms laughing. It made her want to better this life so she could experience this moment in every life henceforth. When she looked up from the laughing boy her eyes met Emma's who was looking at her with so much adoration that Regina couldn't help the blush creeping up her face. Regina kissed the top of Henry's head as she squeezed him affectionately once more before letting him sit next to her.

...

Red hummed lightly as she cleaned up the booth after them, putting three empty milkshake glasses in her tray.

Regina and Emma were walking side by side with Henry padding ahead of them.

"That went well."

"I had conjured up a hundred cases that were more feasible than this."

"What was your best bet?"

"That he would jump away, screaming Evil Queen."

Emma made a disapproving sound, "That would never happen, Henry is a good kid, someone raised him better than that. But I have to say, I never thought that he would be not-ok with us, you know."

"Well I did, speaking from experience. So today was definitely a surprise for me. As was his strict instructions of minimum PDA in front of him, how does he even know what PDA means?"

Regina and Emma sighed, a collective introspection on how fast time was passing by. Regina watched as her breath condensed in front when she felt a tap on the back of her hand.

"What?"

"Why don't you wear gloves? It's cold as fuck."

Regina rolled her eyes as she searched her pocket, "I like the feel of air on my hands", she muttered to herself as she pulled out a pair of leather.

"Jesus Christ Regina, did you always carry a pair?"

"No, I bought them recently."

"Then why didn't you wear them, because I told you to?"

"Because", she focussed on the pair of gloves she was clutching, "I thought you'd ask again."

A cold drift passed and Emma bit her lip before she coughed to ease the heaviness she felt, "Can we sit, I feel tired."

Regina looked ahead and checked on Henry, now chasing birds, before nodding. She pointed at the first bench in front, the docks were practically empty save for the birds and silhouettes of sea vessels and closed buildings. As they got comfortable, Regina noticed Emma's hand lying next to hers, her hand covered in bright red gloves that would make even the local werewolf jealous. Their little fingers were almost touching. Regina wondered if she should hold her hand, or maybe just- Oh.

Regina looked up to find Emma looking at her with an austere expression as her hand tightened around Regina's, "Seriously? You think so much to hold my hand", she looked ahead, "I wish you'd think that much before-" Emma's breath hitched as she felt a cold hand on her cheek, turning her head towards the brunette. Regina caressed the skin she had once hit, her fingers pushing blonde hair behind her ear.

"I don't like when people push me."

"I kinda got that", Emma said smiling but guilt clouded her eyes.

"No", Regina urged, "Don't push me to confess, it makes me panic. Makes me do things I feel.. sorry about."

Emma's hand covered hers as she slightly leaned into it, "I'm sorry too, sometimes I do stuff before I think about them."

Regina scoffed as she removed her hand, "I'm very familiar with the concept myself."

"And I'd very much like you to not have hypothermia so please madam mayor can you just wear those damn gloves now."

Regina rolled her eyes as she wore the black gloves resting on her lap. With a smirk she leaned sideways, "All done Miss Swan."

Emma laughed out, "Oh I'm so grounding that kid."

"Why Miss Swan?"

"Regina", Emma whined.

She leaned in, breathing into Emma's ear, "Miss. Swan."

Emma shivered as she felt her breath, her whole body heating up. "Dammit Regina, you should stop unless you want my lips to assault yours in public."

Emma silently begged with sad eyes which Regina countered with a devious smile. Her lips parted but she suddenly moved away as she shouted, "Henry, don't lean on the railing."

Emma put a finger to her ear as she pulled away, "God, you're such a mo-om."

A light swat graced her arm and Emma snivelled feigning hurt. They both chuckled at the action before Emma cleared her throat.

"So... it's not an ungodly hour in the morning, we're both well-rested and I'm wearing a million layers so there's no way my body can distract you now", Regina hummed in jest and Emma just continued, "We're doing this right?"

Emma didn't look towards Regina but her eyes seemed to dart sideways every two seconds the silence stretched on. Regina's hands went over her coat, removing specks of invisible dust. Her mind thanked Emma for saying aloud what she'd been fearing, that this was some spur of the moment idea that wouldn't work in broad daylight. On being asked though, she immediately knew what her answer was. But there was one nagging question that managed to escape her lips first.

"Unless you wish to opt for someone in the dark one's lineage.."

"What?" Emma fumbled, "God, ok enough with Neal, there is nothing between us. "

"Well, you went and found him. And then left with him again leaving behind.. everything."

"I mean I know we haven't talked about him but Henry's already told you he's an ok guy and that he already has a fiancé." She nudged her as she repeated in an admonishing tone, "A fiancé!"

Wiping her face she continued, slumping back lightly, "As for me he's.. he's just a big part of my past, a really complicated past so I can't downright ignore him."

Regina arched an eyebrow and Emma waved her hand, "Let's leave that discussion for some night where we have access to alcohol. Lots of it. But, bottom line: Emma Swan does not have any feelings for a Neal Cassidy."

"Even though he is Henry's father?"

"Nah, I have the hots for Henry's other parent." Emma said waggling her eyebrows.

Regina rolled her eyes as she smiled, a smile that she knew couldn't possibly convey how relieved she was to hear Emma's crude testament. So she held on to the hand inside hers tighter than before.

"Can I ask something similar, just so we're both on the same page", Emma asked nonchalantly but Regina sensed nervousness, which confused her.

"Who could you possibly be talking about?"

"You know, gruff sailor, only one opposable thumb, likes to call you My Queen", Emma said visibly annoyed.

"Killian", Regina asked in confusion. When she realised Emma was being serious she thought over the reality of the situation and tittered out a no. The no soon turned into a full laugh where Regina had to cover it up with the back of her hand. Her eyes misted over making Emma slightly worried, "Regina?"

"Oh Emma, definitely nothing there", Regina said sobering down.

"It wasn't that funny", Emma asked pointedly.

"Well maybe I'll tell you why when we have access to alcohol", Regina smirked.

"Ok, so facts: We're both pretty much not interested in anyone else." Emma faux-yawned as she stretched her arms on top, slowly lowering them across the bench, "You like me and vice-versa times hundred. And we only tell Henry about us for the time being", her fingers curled gently around Regina's shoulder, her thumb rubbing small circles as Emma looked sideways, "Sound ok?"

Before Regina could say something they both heard their son's shout as he ran towards them, "Mom, can we come here again tomorrow?"

Emma's hand started slipping away as Henry came closer but Regina's hand sneaked up and her fingers laced themselves to Emma's, keeping them over her shoulder.

"That sounds wonderful."

A/N:

Unfortunately Christmas will come later in this fic-verse. Hope all my lovely readers are having fun during the holidays! x

Also this marks the end of the first phase of this fic. This fic has phases. I like organizing. That is all. Peace.

P.S. Guest, you're my fav!